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Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

Around the same time, she said, her hourly wage as a Macomb County Jail corrections officer dropped by about $3 thanks to a 8.58% wage reduction in a contract imposed by county officials.

“It will be hard to make our mortgage payments now,” the 40-year-old mother said. “We are not asking for more. We just want to keep what we have.”

Perry, a 10-year employee, was one of a couple hundred people outside the county administration building in Mt. Clemens today for a 90-minute march and informational picket about contracts imposed on two county government employee unions. A third union could face the same fate.

Many walked in front of the building carrying signs that read, “Imposed contracts waste tax dollars” and that County Executive Mark Hackel is “playing politics with your roads & public safety.” They chanted that they wanted fair contracts as passing motorists honked horns in support.

The Macomb County Professional Deputy Sheriff’s Association and the Road Technicians Association have a July 8 court date on a motion for preliminary injunction in a lawsuit they filed Thursday in Macomb County Circuit Court about their imposed contracts. They also have filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.

Bryan Santo, president of the AdTech Association union, said officials are seeking the same concessions as those imposed on the other two unions. Those unions saw wage reductions and cuts to holiday and longevity pay.

“We are just seeking a fair and reasonable contract negotiating process,” Santo said.

The three unions represent about 375 people total, many of whom attended the rally with family and supporters, such as defense attorney Tim Barkovic.

“Unilateral decisions like this don’t make for good public policy,” Barkovic said. “Only dictators impose their will on people without having a fair hearing.”

Hackel has said the contracts, which came after mediation and fact-finding and were not approved by county commissioners, bring the same concessions pain felt by more than 2,000 employees in 23 other unions representing county workers.

“It’s a fairness issue,” he said Thursday. “It’s about doing what others have done.”

Hackel said today that public safety “is a moot point,” saying that other unions that deal with public safety have accepted contracts. And, he said, roads will get plowed by contractors should county employees choose not to come in on a holiday, for example.

Scott Drwencke, president of the Road Technicians Association, said his group hasn’t had a raise in seven years and has taken concessions. He said Hackel doesn’t “have a patent on this county.”

Brian Schrier, president of the deputy sheriff’s group, said Hackel redirected an ice cream appreciation social for county workers to avoid having it during the protest today.

Hackel said he took the ice cream to the Juvenile Justice Center in Mt. Clemens on Thursday.